SALEM, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – McCook Central High School senior Abbie Chase had a goal to become Scholar of the Week.
“I’ve watched the Scholar of the Week since like 6th grade. Like, every morning, I’d wake up and eat my breakfast and watch the Scholar of the Week. And then, when I had the opportunity to finally apply for it, I asked Miss Arend if she could help me out,” said Abbie.
“And I want my students to watch these Scholars or watch people like Abbie and strive to be like that. These Scholars are involved in a lot of things, they make people feel good, they make people around them feel good,” said McCook Central English teacher Elizabeth Arend.
Abbie is a top student who is involved in many activities, where she is often a leader. She’s the president of FFA, National Honor Society, McCook County 4H club and she’s also on student council.
She plans to become a Jackrabbit for college.
“I’ve always been on the SDSU campus from FFA stuff and different things, so it always just felt like I was at home there, and I always had that sense of community. I’m going for Ag communications and then a minor in entrepreneurial studies,” said Abbie.
“I really see her as an entrepreneur. I mean, she has her own business right now with her honey bees and all of that, she’s just so personable, everything she does. Like, she wears many hats, but she wears them all well. Everything she does is 100 percent,” said Arend.
That business is called Abb-Bees Honey, and she’s got some advice for the younger students.
“Take every opportunity. Don’t take anything for granted and allow yourself to fail. We don’t like failing, but sometimes we need it,” said Abbie.
For being named our Scholar of the Week, Abbie gets a $250 scholarship from the Southeastern Electric Cooperative, which is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
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